e was bored out of her mind, listening to Mark brag

reached his hand out, aiming to cover A

picked up her wine glass, taking a tac

r a second before he pulled it back, cleari

r wrist as she set the glass down, calcu

y ended. Mark signaled the

ict physical distance as they walked t

ain of the VIP booth was pushed aside. Preston,

d deep into the pockets of his tailored trouser

His eyes landed on Alaina w

ss Preston's face. "Alain

Preston's genuinely warm smile, a wave of complicated feelings washed over Alaina. He h

wave, her eyes inevitably slid

m the crystal chandelier above cast s

ed onto her like a pred

eemed to evaporate. Th

the tension, stepped up and gav

e puffed out his chest and extended a hand t

d so hard a muscle ticked visibly. A f

Mark's hand politely. He then gestur

Recognition hit Mark instantly. He knew the face of

pure sycophancy. He eagerly thr

meet you," Mark gushed. "I would love the

xtended hands. He didn't move

e. He shifted his gaze back to Alaina

ce turned a deep shade of red. He slowly pu

k turned to Preston. "So, h

Ivy League," Preston sm

om Jarred, slicing throug

ice was low, heavy, and dripping with double mean